Alan O'Day dies: 'Undercover Angel' singer was 72

Alan O'Day, a songwriter and performer who had a number 1 hit with 1977's "Undercover Angel," has died at the age of 72. According to his record label, 1st Phase Records, O'Day died of cancer while at home with family and friends in attendance.

Although a performer throughout his life, Alan O'Day first found success as a songwriter and producer working with other artists. At the height of his success in the 1970s, O'Day wrote songs for the likes of
Cher, the Righteous Brothers and
Helen Reddy. This last singer even scored a number 1 with a 1974 song written by O'Day, "Angie Baby."

As a singer, O'Day had only one hit, but that song -- "Undercover Angel" -- did make it to the top of the Billboard charts.

O'Day's career continued in the following decades. Among other activities, he co-wrote original songs for the
"Muppet Babies" cartoons of the late 1980s and scored National Geographic documentaries in the 1990s.

"Alan continued to write and perform until his last days," 1st Phase Records said in its announcement. "Alan was a generous man who gave his heart and soul to the music industry."